Hamburg (dpa) – The fight against racism is for the former national soccer player Jimmy Hartwig, according to his own statement, his life’s work. “That’s my job until I’m dead,” said the 66-year-old in an interview with “Welt am Sonntag”. “I’ve been spat at in this country and often insulted in a racist way.” Still, he thinks it’s nice to live in Germany. “I’ve been taking it for 66 years. Only: As long as there is no rethinking, there will be racism.”
The former Hamburger SV professional was the second black player to join the national team after Erwin Kostedde (74) in 1979. “Erwin and I were the door openers back then, even if there were many reservations,” said Hartwig. “Erwin and I had to take so much in the past, and we are still fighting everyday racism today.”
Hartwig is involved in the “Social Responsibility” commission of the German Football Association. “I go to the regional associations and address grievances. Clear edge, that’s my world,” he said. “People like me are needed.” In this role he can pass on his life experience to the younger ones. Hartwig explicitly praised the DFB for its commitment to anti-discrimination and diversity. That is “à la bonne heure”.
Hartwig was born in Offenbach in 1954 as the son of a German and an American soldier and had racist experiences from the start. He came to HSV in 1978 through the stations of Kickers Offenbach, VfL Osnabrück and TSV 1860 Munich and celebrated his greatest successes there. With the hamburgers he was three times German champion and in 1983 the European champion’s cup. However, he missed the 1-0 final win against Juventus Turin in Athens because of a yellow card suspension.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210404-99-79894 / 2
DFB Commission “Social Responsibility”
Profile Jimmy Hartwig at dfb.de.
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